
This also makes for a friendlier introduction to road riding if you’re new to the activity, with a relatively neutral riding position that will have you hitting a new smiles-per-hour record in no time. This puts less strain on the back, and also reduces the reach to the bar – meaning you’re able to ride further, in greater comfort. Ride ComfortĪn Endurance road bike such as the Vantage Endurance has a longer headtube, which means that the handlebars are higher than on the more Race oriented Vantage Comp model.

Race bikes, like the Vantage Comp get a bit of a bad wrap as being twitchy, or fast-handling – which is great when you’re jostling for position in a race, but not the best when you’re not – which for most people is pretty much all the time.Įndurance road bikes, like the Vantage Endurance, dial these characteristics back, with lower bottom brackets and slacker angles making for a more stable, predictable bike for everyday riding – whether your day’s riding is carving your way down a descent, weaving through peak-hour traffic, or holding a wheel in a beach-side bunch ride (or all of the above). In broad strokes, the differences between a Race road bike and Endurance road bike are along the lines of geometry, comfort, clearance, braking and gearing. The market has started dividing into sub-categories, and here we take a look at the two main styles of Road bike now available in our new Vantage range: the Race Bike Vs Endurance/Gran Fondo style. Luckily, for those looking for some intoxicating speed and excitement in their riding, a road bike isn’t simply a road bike these days. The everyday bike rider hasn’t spent years honing their body for the aggressive position and big gearing of the pros, and race geometry road bikes aren’t the best choice for most people. Until recently, you’d have been right – road bikes were mostly designed for the needs of competitive racers.

Maybe you’re also thinking of famous races like the Tour de France, and wondering whether those kinds of bikes are all a bit serious for your kind of riding. If you picture a road bike, you’re probably imagining an expensive whoosh of colour and motion on skinny tyres.
